Allergic congunctivitis and wearing extended wear contact lenses
I had been getting eyelash extensions for a year and loving it and then decided that they were too difficult to maintain. They also really hurt and started to pinch my eyes.
At the same time that I stopped having the eye lash extensions applied, it was the beginning of allergy season in Phoenix and everything was in bloom. My eyes were itching so much I couldn't stop rubbing them. I thought the itching was due to my allergies. I began applying cold ice packs to my eyes.
I finally went to my Ophthalmologist only to discover that I had allergic conjunctivitis, not Pink eye or infectious conjunctivitis. It is causes by wearing extended wear soft contact lenses too long; I was sleeping in them. He lifted my eye lids to show me that I actually had little cysts in under my lids. It is treated with steroids and you have to stop wearing your lenses for a month.
The lesson I learned was to go to your doctor ; don't just assume that you know what is wrong.
Cathy
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I'm sorry you had to experience that. Can't imagine how uncomfortable that may have been, but appreciate you sharing your experience.
How long do you need to take the steroids? Can you go back to wearing the contact lenses as you did before the cysts or did the doctor pass along different instructions?
This is correct, you shouldn't always assume you know what's wrong. Also, wearing contact lenses when your eyes are closed will cut off the oxygen supply your eyes need. Like the rest of the body, your eyes need to breathe as well.